Driving Cost from Branford, Connecticut to Norwich, Connecticut

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Branford to Norwich, Connecticut

If you are planning a road trip from Branford, Connecticut, to Norwich, Connecticut, it is essential to account for all the expenses that come with this venture. One of the most significant expenses you will encounter is fuel cost, which, naturally, goes up and down. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a tab on gas prices and inflation rates to budget your expenses.

Possible Routes

There are different ways to travel the 50 miles distance between Branford and Norwich. Here are some of the most common routes:

Route 1: Via I-95 N and CT-2 E

This is the most direct route between the two towns, though it has tolls. You start on Branford's Main Street and head north towards Bridgeport. At the Long Wharf Drive, merge onto I-95 N, which will take you past Old Saybrook, New London, and Waterford. While on this stretch, you will have to pay two tolls, one at the Gold Star Bridge and the other at Mystic's Exit 89. Once in Waterford, follow the signs towards CT-2 E. At the intersection of CT-2 and I-395, exit by taking the interconnector to CT-2 E, and then drive for the remaining 13.9 miles until you reach Norwich.

  • Distance: 50.9 miles
  • Travel Time: 52 minutes
  • Cost: $10.5 (Tolls only)

Route 2: Via I-95 N, CT-9 N, and CT-2 E

This route is slightly longer, but it avoids the two tolls on the previous route. Follow the same path to get onto I-95 N. At New Haven, take exit 69 for CT-9 N. Follow CT-9 N until you merge with CT-2 E in the East Hartford area. Continue on CT-2 E for the remaining 16.1 miles until you reach Norwich.

  • Distance: 54 miles
  • Travel Time: 1 hour
  • Cost: $0 (No tolls)

Route 3: Via I-95 N and US-1 N

For a more scenic and leisurely trip, you can opt for this route, which takes you along the coastline. Take the same direction as in Route 1, following the signs to get onto I-95 N. Then take exit 86 for Centelaro Drive, and follow it until you meet US-1 N. Take US-1 N and follow it past the towns of Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Waterford, and New London. Once you reach New London, take CT-32 N until you merge with CT-2 E. Continue to drive for the remaining stretch of 13.9 miles until you reach Norwich.

  • Distance: 56.5 miles
  • Travel Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cost: $0 (No tolls)

Fuel Cost

Another significant expense to account for in your budget is the fuel cost, which is mainly driven by volatile gas prices. For this reason, you should always carry out research to identify the average prices around the different gas stations en route. In today's gas market, the price of a gallon of regular fuel ranges between $2.70 to $3.20 in Connecticut.

Assuming that you are driving a standard car with a fuel tank capacity of 15 gallons, which has a mileage of 25 mpg, you will need two fill-ups to make the round trip. Therefore, the total cost of fuel, excluding tolls, will be:

  • Fuel Quantity = (Round Trip(Distance) / Car's Mileage) * Fuel Tank Capacity

  • CT Gas Price: $2.90/gallon

  • Fuel Quantity = (101.8 miles / 25 mpg) * 15 gallons = 60.72 gallons

  • Fuel Cost = Fuel Quantity * CT Gas Price = $175.52

Based on the cost and the distance covered, the best route between Branford and Norwich is Route 2, which is 4 miles longer than Route 1 but does away with tolls. There are scenic options that take you through US-1N, which is a good choice if you're not in a hurry and would like to enjoy the view along the coast. However, you may need to spend extra time on this route, which could affect your overall time management.

Conclusion

Planning a road trip can be both exciting and challenging, especially when considering different factors such as distance, cost, fuel price, and route options. However, with the tips we have shared, you can now easily account for the cost of your trip from Branford to Norwich and make informed decisions based on your budget. With Route 2 being the most cost-effective alternative, the journey will cost you $175.52 in gas, all things being equal. The one-hour drive will take you to the beautiful town of Norwich, where you can unwind and enjoy the sights of the historic city.